FRASER AIRD admits he’s ready to help write a bright future with Rangers after putting his name to a five-year plan that includes a return to the Champions League.

The 18-year-old was handed a long-term deal by Ally McCoist last week as the Light Blues continue to secure the best young talent at the club and the speedy winger is already in a hurry to get Rangers back to the big time.

Facing up to Europe’s elite may have seemed a distant ambition as Aird made his 13th appearance as a late sub in Saturday’s dismantling of Clyde at Broadwood but the youngster is in little doubt where his career path will lead.

The teenager has switched from Murray Park hopeful to first-team contributor with impressive ease and is only interested in going from strength to strength.

He said: “Hopefully we’ll win the next couple of leagues, challenge for the SPL title and get back into Europe. To be part of that would be a big achievement in my career. Setbacks are part of football. That’s just what we have to overcome.

“We’ve got to go there and prove we can do it. The players are convinced we’re on the right track and we have the personnel to do well. We just have to deal with everything as it comes.

“I’m delighted at the gaffer giving me a new deal that secures me for another five years at the club. I just need to get my head down, pull my socks up and keep working hard and hopefully get a few more chances.”

Aird’s arrival in the Gers first team along with the likes of Barrie McKay and Lewis Macleod has been one of the huge positives for a side stretching into the distance in the Third Division.

But the Toronto-born kid is delighted McCoist has asked him to be part of what he believes will be a trip into the Light Blue fantastic of trophy-laden success as they work up through the divisions.

Aird said: “The manager just said he wanted to tie down the younger players and make a commitment to us.

“It shows a lot of faith in us and hopefully we’re in the plans for the next few years as Rangers work their way back to where they’re supposed to be.

“I’m a big Rangers fan so I’m delighted to be part of that journey.

“We’ll be taking every step with the club. I’ve been with Rangers for two years and probably seen things at their worst. I’m delighted that I can help the club get back to the top.”

The self-confessed Rangers fanatic has taken an unusual route to his boyhood heroes as his parents emigrated to Canada in 1987.

His dad Bill is desperate for his son to pledge his loyalty to Scotland and Aird was part of Ricky Sbragia’s training camp last week that gave the biggest sign yet his old man will get his wish.

But Aird is keeping his cards close to his chest on his international future.

He said: “I’m keeping my options open. I was away with Scotland’s Under-18s on a training camp and I enjoyed working with Ricky.

“We’ll see what happens down the road. Everyone in my family is from Scotland so you could say I’m Scottish. At the end of the day it’s my decision who I play for.

“Canada have invited me to the last couple of squads but it’s a long way to go. Speaking to the gaffer at Rangers, he doesn’t want me going away for that long. I’ve just got to see what happens.”

Former Rangers defender Colin Miller has taken interim charge of the Canadian national side and has been trying to persuade Aird to commit to the country of his birth.

But the youngster insists he’s not ready to get involved in a tug of war over which nation he opts for and it may well come down to who offers him a cap first.

He said: “Colin is in touch with the gaffer as they were friends when he was over in Scotland.

“Ricky hasn’t put any pressure on me and said it’s my decision.

“If I keep playing in the first team at Ibrox then hopefully one of the countries will make a move but for now I’m happy to leave it. My dad says it’s up to me too but he’d probably like me to play for Scotland while my mum wants me to play for Canada.